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Our Council

The Law Society is governed by its Council, set up under its Royal Charter. The Council agrees the strategic direction of the Society's work, including the annual business plan and budget, changes to Law Society policy and rules, and the focus of our efforts on behalf of our diverse membership.

Council membership

Our Council is composed of solicitors and one trainee solicitor. Council members sit for four-year terms and may be re-elected. The trainee solicitor sits for a two-year term.

Council has 100 seats, with 61 members representing 42 geographical constituencies and up to 39 members representing special interest groups and areas of practice.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) deals with all matters relating to the entry and training of solicitors as well as the rules of professional conduct. The Law Society Council has an oversight role in relation to the board of the SRA.

Council meetings

The Council meets six or seven times a year. Summaries of discussions at recent meetings can be found below:

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'I became a Council Member in July 2005 holding one of three non-geographical seats designated for BME concerns. This does not mean that one only participates in matters concerning the members of the profession one is on Council specifically to represent.

I take an interest in everything that comes to Council, and I enjoy my work – reading the papers, participating in debates and working on various boards, committees and groups. I am not afraid to hold a minority view, and Council members are discerning enough to tolerate and interrogate a diversity of opinion. I cannot recommend becoming a Council member more highly to all solicitors.'Nwabueze Nwokolo - Ethnic Minorities

Got a question?

If you'd like to know more about being a Council member, or the election process itself, please get in touch.